I suppose I might try to build something like a wooden skirt where necessary on the legs to keep the rain out of the oil cans? They need only be an inch or two above the tops of the cans and only just wide enough to avoid drips from getting in.

The ants seem to have built a nest in the hive. Maybe only in the honey super, I can't tell yet. It will be a few months before I take off the super. I would prefer to not disturb the hive as much as possible. Shb is pretty bad around here.

You DO need to re-apply on the outside after it rains hard, but it dries again and after a few applications it permiates the area.

I have put it on the top bars of my KTBH with good success. I once OD'd the top board of my Lang (cap fell off while shaking) and the bees got mad but other than that they don't seem to mind. Give it a try, it isn't too expensive and you can always put the leftovers on toast.

Go to your local garden supply and get some (Tangle Foot) and smear iton the legs of your stand. It's about like axel grease but made for insectsthat get on apple trees and such. If your garden supply dosen't carry it look on E-BAY. Works for me.

I would brush away as many of the ants as I could and sprinkle some granular ant bait around the hive. If the ants have a trail leading back to the nest, follow and treat the nest. This has worked for me.

Good Luck,

Steve

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Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resembalance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

Some kinds of Ants are much dangerous for us because these ants put a lot of negative effects on different important things. If you are failed to removed ants from your house or garden you can get the services of a pest removal company for this purpose.